The Summer of 75

Elyse Glickman

The interior of French 75 Bistro evokes the style and sexiness of an upscale Paris bistro, down to lighting fixtures, scarlet furnishings and artwork. Its menu (executed by Meesh Montygierd) is an inspired hybrid of French and American bistro classics, which include favorites such as French onion soup, escargots, burgers, prime rib dip, boneless short ribs, and of course, crepes and souffles. And if that weren’t inviting enough, the “Rouge” bar seduces with an assortment of cocktails inspired by the things we love about France, including the classic French 75--a champagne cocktail featured during this restaurant’s increasingly popular weekday “Bubbly Hour” from 4 to 7 p.m. The restaurant’s name and that cocktail (a potent champagne and cognac cocktail that literally puts a bang into one’s evening) are inspired by a 75mm Field Gun developed by the French in 1897 American troops used to help France and Britain defeat the enemy in World War I. According to Manager Janna Tincher and Bar Manager Nathan Linsley, it is also a loving tribute to America’s embrace of French culture via haute cuisine restaurants and brasseries that brought this elegant genre of food to our shores, and ultimately, out west. While the patio is often filled to capacity during weekday business lunches, Tincher and Linsley project that the Bubbly Hour will get even livelier as the temperatures climb. “Even though our lunch business is great, I predict that it will get even better over the course of the season,” says Tincher. “Thanks to the elegant setting, food and cocktails, French 75 Bistro is going to be the place to be. We also will have much to offer on summer weekends, where customers will be able to come in and chill out with live music from local jazz trios and guest vocalists. Our banquet business is booming, with corporate events taking place almost every day in our Salon Prive.” Among the recent coups for the Burbank branch was the opportunity to host NBC’s special Daytime Emmy Awards pre-party. Linsley, meanwhile, is keeping the style and glamour flowing with two new summer martinis, the PinaCranakaze and the Mango Infused Martini (both with SKYY Vodka). “I am really looking forward to summer,” says Linsley. “We think customers will really like what we’ve got for those hot days.” PHOTO A: Manager Janna Tincher and Bar Manager Nathan Linsley welcome you to the French 75 Bistro patio and the Bubbly Hour. Photo B: The Bar at French 75 (Photo by Karen Harley)